It is always a pleasure to welcome one of my fellow authors and friends to my segment – Interview an Author. Today my author friend, Darlene Foster, who writes fascinating mysteries involving a girl, Amanda, who travels to different parts of the world.

Welcome, Darlene. It is so nice to have you back again. Please step up on that platform and tell us all about yourself and your books.

When did you know that you wanted to be an author?

I’ve been telling stories since I could talk and have always been intrigued by the written word. Books have always fascinated me, and as a child I used to make up my own stories, using familiar storybook characters. I believe it was when I was nine years old, in grade three, that my teacher suggested I write my stories down. I would dream of being the next Lucy Maude Montgomery, Louisa May Alcott or Carolyn Keene. I had a short story published in a local newspaper when I was twelve years old. I felt I was truly an author then!

Jjspina: Wow at 12 years old you were published! Good for you, Darlene! That is quite an accomplishment so young. Evidently it was in your blood to be a writer. Your supportive and teacher was all you needed to get started.

What do you expect to accomplish in 2023?

At the beginning of each year, I set a list of goals, and expect to accomplish most of them. In 2023 I plan to enter the world of self-publishing. I’ve started to learn as much as I can about it before I publish a book. I’ll start by publishing a collection of short stories based on some of my memories of growing up on the Canadian prairies in the fifties and sixties called, “You Can Take the Girl From the Prairies”. I also expect to complete book number 10 of the Amanda Travels series, “Amanda in Scotland: The Standing Stones” (working title). I also want to delve into poetry, travel to at least one new place, read 48 books and read my late mother’s five-year diary.

Jjspina: That is quite a commendable list of goals for 2023. Good luck completing them all and then some.

What hobbies do you have when you are not writing?

I enjoy cooking and baking and trying new recipes as I tend to get bored making the same things all the time. I’ve joined an online Cookbook Club where we all try making something from the same cookbook and then share the recipe and review the cookbook. I also enjoy walking my two adorable rescue dogs in the local parks and on the nearby beaches. They get me away from the computer and out in the fresh air. And of course, I enjoy reading. I’ve expanded my reading choices, but I’m not a fast reader so I’m always behind on my TBR pile!

Jjspina: I agree about getting bored making the same things. I try to mix things up when I do cook because my husband does a lot of it. God bless him! He does that to allow me to continue to write in my ever present new WIP.

What is your target audience for your book?

I initially wrote my Amanda Travels books for middle-grade children (ages 8 to 12), but I have since come to the realization that they are suitable for all ages. Adults who have read the books to toddlers tell me the little ones love them. Teenagers who are reluctant readers have sent me notes saying how much they enjoyed the books as they could easily follow along and liked the adventure. And many adults have commented that they loved learning about the various places Amanda has visited. One adult reader organized her trip based on Amanda’s visit to the country she was going to. So, the short answer is the target audience for my books is everyone who enjoys an adventure and learning about another country or place.

Jjspina: I agree, Darlene. I read some of your books and thoroughly enjoyed them and can see them suitable for all ages. Amazon wants us to put our books in a grade level. I find some of my books fall into different categories for all ages too.

Please share something about yourself that you haven’t shared before.

I’m a Pisces and I love water, but I can’t swim! I enjoy boating; we even owned a boat when we lived on the west coast of Canada. Now we live by the Mediterranean where I enjoy paddling in the water, but I don’t swim in it because I can’t swim. Go figure.

Jjspina: I can understand that. I am not a good swimmer either but can float and stay up without drowning for a little while. Ha! It must be lovely to paddle around in the Mediterranean just the same.

Speak for one of your characters in your books for this interview.

Hi! I’m Amanda. Jane Ross and I’d love for you to join me on some of my many adventures. Perhaps you’d enjoy France, Spain, England or Holland, or a trip down the Danube on a river cruise. Maybe you’d like to visit a place very different like the United Arab Emirates or Malta. The province of Alberta in Canada and the state of New Mexico in the United States are very interesting places. You never know what exciting things will happen and who you might meet, and you might even learn something you didn’t know about the place, even if you’ve been there yourself! Start reading the Amanda Travels books and enjoy the world without leaving home. See you there!

Jjspina: That is an invitation that my readers will not be able to refuse to be able to travel to exotic places and read intriguing mysteries without leaving home. I enjoyed your books and look forward to reading more.

Thanks so much, Janice, for the opportunity to chat with you.

It was my pleasure to have you here once again, Darlene. It’s amazing how many places you have visited and gleaned enough to write a story around them. I wish you much success with all your new books and whatever else you endeavor to do. Feel free to come back again to my blog with any updates of your future accomplishments.

Darlene has appeared on my blog previously. Here is the link to see that interview.

Here are Darlene’s lovely books. Check them out today. You will be delighted.

website http://www.darlenefoster.ca/

blog https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/

twitter https://twitter.com/supermegawoman

Amazon author page  https://www.amazon.ca/Darlene-Foster/e/B003XGQPHA/

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3156908.Darlene_Foster

Thank you, readers, for stopping by to read this post. Please check out all Darlene’s books on links above for some enjoyable reading. Thank you for your kind support of me and my fellow authors. Please remember to review books wherever you purchase them. We appreciate your efforts to help spread word of our hard work.

If you would like to see yourself here, go to my email below and drop me a line. I will peruse your books to see if they are a good fit for my blog.

Blessings & Hugs! Stay Safe, Stay Well and God Bless!

READING GIVES YOU WINGS TO FLY! SOAR WITH JEMSBOOKS ALL YEAR THROUGH! HAPPY READING!

Janice Spina aka J.E. Spina

Award-Winning Author

Jemsbooks for All Ages!

Jemsbooks.com

Jemsbooks.blog

Jjspina(at)comcast(dot)net

AMAZON.COM AUTHOR PAGE (All books)

AMAZON.COM JE SPINA NOVELS PAGE

AMAZON.CO.UK

BARNES & NOBLE